Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is scheduled to visit his Cuban counterpart Fidel Castro next week after attending the swearing in ceremony of Guatemala's President elect Alvaro Colom.

Lula will travel to Guatemala Sunday, afterwards will visit Cuba on Monday on an official visit, according to a government spokesperson.

During one day visit, the Brazilian Head of State will meet with authorities, sign bilateral agreements and visit the Cuban leader.

Government sources had indicated that the Brazilian state oil company, Petrobras was reportedly interested in signing an agreement for oil exploration in Cuban waters.

Petrobras carried out oil explorations between 1998 and 2001 without success and send last year a delegation to Havana to talk with Cuba's oil firm, Cupet.

(RHC)